I202403 NOPV

Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Little,Governor
P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 Eric Anderson,President
John R.Hammond,Jr.,Commissioner
Edward Lodge,Commissioner
Letter of Concern
March 11, 2024 Report#I202403
Pat Darras—Vice President of Engineering & Operations Services
Intermountain Gas Company
400 N 4th St.
Bismarck, ND 58501
Dear Mr. Darras:
On March 7, 2024, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Pipeline Safety Division,pursuant to
Chapter 601 of Title 49, United States Code, conducted a construction inspection of
Intermountain Gas Company (IGC).
As a result of the inspection, it appears there are area(s) of concern that do not fully meet the
intent of the pipeline safety regulations Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 192 for
calendar year 2024.
The item(s) listed below are of concern:
1. 49 CFR-192.605 Procedural manual for operations, maintenance, and emergencies.
(a) General. Each operator shall prepare and follow for each pipeline, a manual of
written procedures for conducting operations and maintenance activities and for
emergency response. For transmission lines, the manual must also include procedures
for handling abnormal operations. This manual must be reviewed and updated by the
operator at intervals not exceeding 15 months, but at least once each calendar year.
This manual must be prepared before operations of a pipeline system commence.
Appropriate parts of the manual must be kept at locations where operations and
maintenance activities are conducted.
OPS 307 Polyethylene (PE) Main and Service Construction
Butt fusions shall be made in accordance with TR-33 Appendix A.
11331 W.Chinden Blvd.,Building 8 Suite 201-A,Boise ID 83714
Telephone:[phone] Facsimile:[phone]

TR-33 Generic Butt Fusion Joining Procedure for Field Joining of Polyethylene
Pipe- 3.0 ALIGN
The pipe profiles must be rounded and aligned with each other to minimize mismatch (high-
low) of the pipe walls.This can be accomplished by tightening clamping jaws until the
outside diameters of the pipe ends match.The jaws must not be loosened or the pipe may
slip during fusion. Re-face the pipe ends and remove any chips from re-facing operation
with a clean, lint-free cotton cloth.
Finding(s)•
Staff observed a contractor for IGC fuse a section 2"PE main to a 2"PE end cap without
re-facing the pipe ends after adjusting the clamp handles. Per TR-33, anytime the clamps
are adjusted the pipe ends must be re-faced prior to using the heat plate.
The above-mentioned item(s) were brought to the attention of IGC compliance representatives
during the inspection. We request that you review these matter(s) and respond in writing within
30 days regarding the above issue(s) including any planned corrective actions.
If you have any questions concerning this notice, please contact me at(208) 334-0333. All
written responses should be addressed to me at: 11331 W Chinden Blvd, Ste 201-A, Boise, Idaho
83714 or you can fax your response to [phone].
Because of the good faith that you have exhibited up to this time, we expect that you will take
action to bring your program into compliance with pipeline safety regulations.
We appreciate your attention to this matter and your effort to promote pipeline safety.
Sincerely,
IA_`�
eff Brooks
Pipeline Safety, Program Manager
Idaho Public Utility Commission